A Tea Party With Sylvie

She walks through the door with a smile on her face. “I got a hair cut and a treat!” She says as she makes her way across the room. She climbs up onto the big red couch, pulls her shoes and socks off her little feet, slides down from the couch, and runs to the kitchen. “Let’s have a tea party!” she says, as she digs through the big basket of toys. One by one we pull out the little plastic tea set: yellow, pink and purple cups and saucers, a pink tea pot and sugar bowl. She slowly climbs up on to one of the kitchen chairs, and we carefully set up the tea set in front of her. “Can you fill this with water?!” she asks, handing the tea pot to me.

The tea party begins as she pours water from the plastic tea pot, and drinks from little tea cups.

Sylvie is 2. When she comes to visit, she fills my home with life! I love her questions, her energy and her giggles. I love how the dedication of her mother and father is already evident in her life, even at age 2, in the way she loves her brother, the way she interacts with her mother, the fact that she is happy with simple things, and is so very grateful for EVERYTHING.

Sylvie’s mother and I sit and talk, in between attending to a 2 year old and a 1 year old. Cars and trucks are scattered all over the kitchen floor for Sylvie’s adorable little brother. We quickly move from tea parties, to coloring books, to little games, to plastic Easter eggs filled with fruit snacks.

Then it’s time for lunch.

Chicken sandwiches cut into little pieces, sweet potato fries, and sliced apples served on a purple Princess Sophia plate. An orange sippy cup filled with milk. Next, we roast marshmallows for dessert. Then it is time for Sylvie and her baby brother to go home for their afternoon naps.

I walk them to their car, say goodbye, and wave as they drive away.

I am finding that fellowship happens in so many unique ways. I have been challenged to write about the people God uses in my life, so that others can learn from the good examples that are all around me, and I can be reminded of how God so generously provides for me.

Spending my morning with Sylvie, her baby brother, and her sweet mother blessed me in so many ways. When Sylvie enters the room, life and energy enter with her! I love getting to know this little person and having the privilege of being a part of her life. I am encouraged and challenged when I see how Sylvie’s mother is committed to her God given role as a mom of two littles. How she has selflessly made the health of her baby boy her top priority, having to accommodate his food allergies. Eliminating food. Sleepless nights. Doctor’s appointments. Fatigue.

Perseverance. Strength found in weakness. Clinging to Jesus. Her days busy with babies, yet she thought to check in on me, to see how I am doing, to tell me she missed me, and ask “Would you like to get together?”

We are a part of the body of Christ. The Church. And no matter what season of life we are in, our purpose is to know God, to make Him known, and to show the world that we are His…by showing His love. Bearing burdens. Blessing others.

Today a young mom, a 2 1/2 year old, and a 1 year old encouraged (I Thess. 5:14, 2:11), Edified (I Thess. 5:11) Loved (John 13:34), Cared for (I Cor. 12:25, Phil. 2:4), and were devoted to (Romans 12:5) a middle aged woman.

And this middle aged woman is so very grateful!

How have you been living out your calling? Have you been blessed by a member of the body of Christ? Let’s learn together! I’ll be sharing some of my thoughts and experiences, and I’d love it if you’d share some of yours.